Mercy College students honour teacher, Joe Bartucciotto, and his 30 years of loving service in true “Mr B” style
If Mercy College students in Koondoola were to stage a musical starring their much loved teacher, Joe Bartucciotto, it would have to be Hair.
Thirty years ago, when the affectionately nicknamed Mr B joined the school, he had plenty of hair: these days, his ponytail has gone, hairline receded and the famous moustache is no more.
But that didn’t stop students, staff and parents feting him on his 30th anniversary at the school, by reminding him of his former glory.
Students donned novelty moustaches and afro wigs, several also cultivating Mr B’s signature look by wearing leather jackets and sunnies on their heads.
A packed hall waited in anticipation before Mr B was led in, escorted through a guard of honour and seated on a balloon-adorned throne while Forever Young played.
Principal Dr Tony Curry gave a brief welcome before Arts Specialist Stephen Jeffrey led in a self-penned song, How to Spell Bartucciotto.
The crowd waved face masks of Mr B as they sang gems like, “You had a moe/But now it’s dead/Kinda like what happened on your head”.
The kids had all been sworn to secrecy but Mr B said he thought something was up when he saw Assistant Principal Jackie Holbrook decked out in pants, shirt and tie.
Teacher Jo Walsh spoke of Mr Bartucciotto’s achievements, saying he was instrumental in introducing the Paths program six years ago, helping students to talk about their feelings.
He also started mentor groups for students aged five to 12.
Ms Walsh was followed by a number of speakers, all showing Joe as a much loved and respected member of staff. Student Samantha Samuels sang a tweaked version of a Stevie Wonder classic, “Isn’t he wonderful? Isn’t he lovely, Mr B”, and a Powerpoint presentation of photos, set to cranked up ACDC, caused a few giggles.
Mr B ended the occasion by saying how lucky he felt to work at Mercy: “Some people have jobs,” he said, “where they get paid to do what they love.”
The depth of appreciation of Mr B’s many years of loving service was clearly obvious even before the assembly began and echoed in another line of Mr Jeffrey’s song: “Mr B, you light up school like nobody else”.